Tweet Last week I talked about varying your aperture to create different effects through depth of field. In a static landscape scene where nothing is moving, you can set your aperture, then use whatever shutter speed gives you a proper exposure (assuming you are using a tripod if your shutter speed is less than around […]

Last week I talked about varying your aperture to create different effects through depth of field. In a static landscape scene where nothing is moving, you can set your aperture, then use whatever shutter speed gives you a proper exposure (assuming you are using a tripod if your shutter speed is less than around 1/125 second.) However, when part of the scene is moving, your shutter speed becomes just as important as your aperture in determining the final look of your image. Do you stop the action, or let it blur? That’s your decision to make, but in this week’s video I explain the techniques required to freeze action or blur motion as it crosses your camera’s field of view, as well as a couple of specialized techniques that I commonly use to get a unique look to my photos. I also discuss the proper use of ISO when determining what shutter speed to use.

A five second exposure transformed the crashing surf in this scene to soft, blurred water.

Here’s your assignment for the week:

1) Watch the video to learn what you need to do to stop or blur action in your photos.

2) Get out and shoot. Find some action. Streams and waterfalls are great if you can’t find any adventurers to take pictures of. Create photos with a sense of energy by freezing action with fast shutter speeds, and create other photos that have a sense of motion because you blur the action with slower shutter speeds. Don’t forget to use what you’ve already learned regarding light, exposure, and composition!

3) Post one or more photos to our on-line Flickr Group
before Wednesday, April 4th.

Hi Jerry,
Thanks for these tips. I’d like taking some photos like those I’ve seen at the end of the video. Do you think that a Nd 8x filter could help me to take these photographs with that mystic atmosphere at sunrise, or it’s better to click before ?
Sorry for my broken English.

AN ND 8x filter will definitely help you achieve slower shutter speeds, and just before and after sunrise would be a great time to try it. It won’ give you the flexibility of a variable ND, obviously, but in low light, you’ll be able to get some nice and slow shutter speeds, especially with a low ISO and small aperture.